By Our Aviation Correspondent
NEW YORK — A chaotic scene at LaGuardia Airport turned fatal on Monday morning when an Air Canada flight carrying 72 passengers collided with a fire truck on a taxiway, leaving both pilots dead and sending dozens to local hospitals.
The airport remained at a total standstill on Monday afternoon as federal investigators rushed to the scene of what officials are calling a “nightmarish” breakdown in communication.
The disaster unfolded as the airport’s emergency services were responding to a separate distress call from another aircraft. As the fire engine raced across the airfield to assist the first plane, it crossed paths with the Air Canada jet.
Authorities confirmed the aircraft was traveling at approximately 120 km/h (about 75 mph) when it struck the heavy firefighting vehicle. The impact decimated the cockpit of the aircraft. While the 72 passengers on board survived the initial collision, the two pilots were pronounced dead at the scene.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey reported that 42 passengers were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment ranging from smoke inhalation to blunt force trauma. By Monday evening, hospital spokespeople confirmed that 32 of those passengers had been treated and discharged.
”Our thoughts are with the families of the flight crew and those injured in this tragic accident,” Air Canada said in a brief statement, adding that they are cooperating fully with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The immediate closure of LaGuardia has triggered a ripple effect of cancellations across the Northeast corridor.
Thousands of travelers were stranded at the terminals, while incoming flights were diverted to Newark Liberty and JFK International.
